C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

vacuum issues... HELP

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 5, 2013 | 04:21 PM
  #1  
pokey1's Avatar
pokey1
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: newaygo michigan
Default vacuum issues... HELP

Ive got an 81 with vacuum problems. Over the winter I did a few simple projects and now all of a sudden, my headlights came up, but they wont go back down. I changed the heater core, I did a simple tune up, plugs, wires, pcv, gas filter and replaced the AIR pump that was froze up. I am totally stumped. Any ideas?
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2013 | 04:28 PM
  #2  
MelWff's Avatar
MelWff
Race Director
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,606
Likes: 2,542
Default

watch this video

Reply
Old Mar 5, 2013 | 08:14 PM
  #3  
Willcox Corvette's Avatar
0Willcox Corvette
Former Vendor
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,847
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Default

The default position for the headlamps is "UP" so just guessing I'd say you knocked one of the small hoses off... or you have pulled down the over-ride switch.

Check the over-ride first then use the chart below.. I would go to point A on the small hoses by the relay's.. pull this loose and see if you have vacuum there and if you do, then check the two nipples on the relays and see if they have vacuum. If not them move back toward the dash and check for vacuum on 8.. if not vacuum there check on C at the small nipple of the check valve.

On your car it's a pretty simple system... for the headlamps to come down you must have vacuum on the small hose. They are what pulls the plunger to the down position. When you lose this vacuum (hose off or defective item) your headlamps default to the up position.


Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Mar 5, 2013 at 08:17 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 5, 2013 | 10:29 PM
  #4  
pokey1's Avatar
pokey1
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: newaygo michigan
Default

Thanks. I will look at that tomorrow. where is the override switch? In the dash ?
Reply
Old Mar 6, 2013 | 08:38 AM
  #5  
jdp6000's Avatar
jdp6000
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,740
Likes: 3
From: Aurora Ontario
Default

Originally Posted by pokey1
Thanks. I will look at that tomorrow. where is the override switch? In the dash ?
You see #8 in the picture above? That little pull down **** sticks down in the knee panel on the driver side. Its lined up with the steering column. You can't miss it. Reach down passed the column towards the brake pedal....its pretty well dead center. All you see is the **** sticking out.

Jim

Last edited by jdp6000; Mar 6, 2013 at 08:46 AM.
Reply
Old Mar 6, 2013 | 10:46 AM
  #6  
pokey1's Avatar
pokey1
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: newaygo michigan
Default

I found it thanks. I don't seem to have much vacuum going to the front. Guess I will start looking for leaks or blockage. Thanks for the help everybody.
Reply
Old Mar 6, 2013 | 10:56 AM
  #7  
jdp6000's Avatar
jdp6000
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,740
Likes: 3
From: Aurora Ontario
Default

Originally Posted by pokey1
I found it thanks. I don't seem to have much vacuum going to the front. Guess I will start looking for leaks or blockage. Thanks for the help everybody.
Based on the work you did aside from knocking something of you could have a leak at the PVC or air pump hoses.

Remove the PVC and plug the hose....any better?

Remove the hose to the air pump and block it....any better?

Did you have the air cleaner off? does yours have a hose to it? did you reconnect it?

Do each separate.

Jim
Reply
Old Mar 6, 2013 | 07:41 PM
  #8  
pokey1's Avatar
pokey1
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: newaygo michigan
Default

Thanks Jim. I think the filter before the check valve is almost plugged. Gonna order one tomorrow from C.C. because I need some other stuff too. I checked this morning and the heater control wasn't working right and they both feed off of that line. Hope that's the problem. Think Ill order the check valve too. Ill let you know what happens.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To vacuum issues... HELP

Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!

 Joe Kucinski




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:38 PM.

story-0
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-1
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-20 17:58:41


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-3
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette buyer's guide

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-17 16:41:08


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

Slideshow: 10 things C8 Corvette owners hate, but won't tell you.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-01 18:36:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

Slideshow: Should you add one of these incredible Corvettes to your garage?

By Brett Foote | 2026-04-01 18:14:05


VIEW MORE
story-7
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

Slideshow: Every Corvette Grand Sport explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-26 07:13:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!

Slideshow: Breaking down the 2027 Grand Sport, Grand Sport X, Stingray, and LS6 V8.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-03-26 13:48:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!

Slideshow: 5 reasons bad drivers crash sports cars & 5 ways to avoid a costly shame!

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-25 16:32:55


VIEW MORE